As part of the VI International Arctic Forum in Murmansk, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the development of the Northern Sea Route.
"We are meeting and working today in Murmansk, the largest city in the Arctic Circle, to comprehensively discuss the development of the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route. I would like to note that both the city itself and the Murmansk Region set an example of dynamic and progressive development for all Arctic regions. Large-scale, in many ways unique industrial and logistics projects are being implemented here, such as the center for the construction of large-capacity offshore structures in Belokamenka, the development and modernization of the Murmansk transport hub, including the opening of new terminals and the expansion of railway approaches. In addition, Murmansk is the home port of the Russian nuclear icebreaking fleet. As you know, it plays a crucial role in the development of Arctic shipping routes, the Arctic as a whole," the President stressed, opening the meeting.
Vladimir Putin noted that the most powerful Northern Fleet is also based on the Kola Peninsula, ensuring the security of Russia's Arctic borders. The President thanked the people of the North Sea for their service and courage on the sidelines of the special military operation.
"I repeat: here in the Arctic, in this strategic and important region for us, we face large-scale and systemic tasks. It is necessary to strengthen transport and logistics infrastructure, expand economic and business opportunities with mandatory protection of sensitive Arctic ecosystems. It is necessary to consistently improve the urban environment, improve the settlements of the Far North, and generally improve the quality of life of people so that they have interesting, well-paid jobs, modern education and healthcare systems, and truly comfortable and attractive living in the Arctic. Obviously, all these tasks require an integrated approach, clear plans calculated for the long term, a combination of efforts by federal ministries and regional teams, business and scientific circles, and public associations. Such work has been deployed in the Government, as well as within the framework of the Maritime Board. I know that on the eve of our meeting, there were events and a specially created commission of the State Council. It is called the Northern Sea Route and the Arctic, and it is headed by the Governor of the Murmansk Region, Andrey Vladimirovich Chibis," Vladimir Putin recalled.
The President said that the Government of the Russian Federation had already discussed the need to define in detail a model for the development of the Northern Sea Route, provide its cargo flows with infrastructure and fleet, and agreed to work out all organizational aspects.
"Unfortunately, decisions in this regard have not yet been made, and the model has not been compiled. I would like to draw the attention of my colleagues to this. Of course, it is important to take into account today's objective problems, difficulties and limitations. But despite this, we must not delay the launch of development projects that are important for the Arctic and for the whole of Russia," Vladimir Putin stressed.
It should be recalled that on the eve of the Governor Andrey Chibis, during the strategic session of the International Arctic Forum, he proposed key models for the development of the NSR in the long term. The development of this transport highway is a priority strategic direction for Russia's development. The key role is played by the implementation of the Northern Sea Route Development Plan for the period up to 2035, which combines over 150 measures aimed at developing transport infrastructure. Freight traffic along the NSR is growing every year, by 2030 it should exceed 100 million tons per year, and by 2035 – 150 million tons per year. In 2024 37.9 million tons of cargo were transported along the NSR; in 2022-2024, 8 subsidized coastal flights were performed and 58.1 thousand tons of cargo were transported.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /
Photo: kremlin.ru Alexey Nikolsky, RIA Novosti.